Division I dream Okoniewski's reality

Exeter shortstop Erin Okoniewski didn't need to look long to find the perfect place to build her future.

Okoniewski decided to make a verbal commitment to continue her athletic and academic career at the University of Hartford before she even started her senior year.

Okoniewski, the Eagles starting shortstop for the past two seasons, plans to play softball and study architecture at Hartford.

"It was a perfect fit for me," Okoniewski said. "I always wanted to play Division I softball and they have the program I'm interested in."

Okoniewski also said she is looking forward to playing for coach Diana Consolmagno, who coached the Hawks for her first season in 2011 after serving as an assistant coach at Rutgers for four years.

"I really like her coaching style," Okoniewski said. "She knows how to have fun and still get the job done."

Okoniewski has been helping Exeter accomplish some of its goals during the past two seasons while twice being named the All-Berks I shortstop. She missed her freshman season while recovering from a torn ACL injury.

Okoniewski hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the seventh this season to help the Eagles defeat Berks I rival Gov. Mifflin. Okoniewski also helped the Eagles defeat Brandywine Heights in the 2009 Berks County playoffs, ending Brandywine's streak of four straight county titles.

Okoniewski hopes the Eagles can go even further during her senior year despite the loss of four senior starters.

"I think if our defense really works on it we can move forward further than last year," Okoniewski said.

This summer, Okoniewski is going places with the Pennsbury Gems Gold travel team. The team already has played in Colorado and will enter another tournament in Rhode Island.

And after her senior season, Okoniewski will be off to Hartford to build her future.

"I was really relieved when I made my decision," Okoniewski said. "I always wanted to be good enough and work hard enough to get to Division I."